Chapter 9

It's been nearly two hours since Summer left and CeCe has brought her up every chance she's had. Her vocabulary isn't that expanded, but she's found a ton of different ways to essentially tell me that Summer's her best friend. I've got to admit, part of me wanted to laugh when she said they were people watching earlier. The fact that Summer chose to just sit and do that with her isn't surprising in the least.

She's only babysat CeCe for me a couple of times, but so far, I can agree that having Summer around has been helpful. It doesn't come without its challenges in some ways and she's definitely more of a texter than my sister is when it comes to updates.

Abby would usually only text me if she wanted me to grab something on my way home, but Summer seems to think that everything CeCe does deserves a picture. Can't argue with her on that, I appreciate seeing CeCe's face on my phone when I'm not around.

I did feel cornered at first in having to agree to accept her help, but I didn't actually have any other options unless I wanted to go down the nanny route. It crossed my mind for a split second, thinking maybe the cons of a nanny wouldn't be that bad. But I know myself. It would last an hour before I was driving home from practice, firing whatever stranger was probably snooping in my bedroom. At least with Summer, I know she's snooping—I don't have to wonder.

The idea of relying on anyone else to care for CeCe has always been something I've struggled with. Even trusting Abby to watch her at first was huge for me. Letting CeCe out of my sight those first few months after Kristen left felt physically impossible.

Liam and I have been watching the hockey game while CeCe has been busy setting up her dolls at the table for an ice cream party. One I promised her she could have if she ate the beans on her plate. She didn't eat them all, barely half, but I fold for her pleading eyes every time.

"So… earlier, what was that?" Liam pops the top on a cold beer.

"What are you talking about?"

He lowers his voice, making sure CeCe isn't within earshot. "Don't bullshit me, Hunt. Something going on with you and Summer?"

"Something as in she's helping watch CeCe for me, but that's about it." I can feel my jaw tick slightly.

"Bullshit," Liam says, my reply seeming to amuse him.

"Believe me. Summer Kincaid is the last person I'd have something going on with."

The grin that spreads on his face has me already rolling my eyes, knowing some stupid fucking remark is about to follow. "Do you ever think your irritation for her is actually just attraction?"

I choose the wrong time to take a sip of water as it doesn't make it past the back of my throat before I'm coughing it up with a hearty laugh.

"Oh, that's a good one." I pound my chest with my fist to clear my throat.

"Come on, you're not fooling me," he scoffs.

"There's nothing going on. I don't look at her like that."

"You say that, but your face tells a different story, man."

"What's my face saying?" I challenge him.

Liam leans back against the couch, placing one arm behind his head as he looks me dead in the eye.

I've got a couple years on Liam, and a lot more life experience. And right now, I'm thinking a solid fifty pounds if I needed to level him. Not that I would, but the knowledge of knowing I can is all I need right now.

"That you like her attitude. She fires you up and you want to look annoyed, but I think deep down you actually like it. You enjoy that kind of back and forth repartee the two of you do. I've thought it for years. Ever since the first night I met her back at Louie's. I saw it. I have eyes."

"Well, get them checked, because you're fucking nuts."

"You know she's into you, right? That's not something you're learning right this moment."

I nod with a heavy sigh. "I've known."

"Well, either way… I'm just glad to see you're spending time with women other than the ones you're related to." Liam winks.

"We aren't spending time together. You're reading way too much into this. She helps with CeCe, that's it."

He doesn't grace me with another comment or even a look, he simply nods and smiles and the rest of the time is spent talking about the game.

"Nine seven, nine seven!" I hear my number from the opposing side of the field. The quarterback sees me on the edge completely unblocked and alerts his team of my looming presence.

Once he spikes the ball, he immediately scrambles to his right, causing me to follow. Instead of moving east and west on the field, he moves up and down. He's back at least fifteen yards now from the line of scrimmage and he's looking everywhere trying to find an open receiver. I can feel my knees aching as I follow his quick movements, until finally I'm able to sack him. I pin my body against his, hearing the collision of our pads and helmets, hoping the ball was also knocked out, but no such luck. He's gripping it like his life depends on it, and I stand, offering my hand to help him to his feet since it's just the two of us this far back into the field.

"Fucking got me." The quarterback smiles, spitting out blood as he lifts his helmet.

"I'm coming again," I taunt, clapping my hands as I turn to jog back down the field.

I've always loved being a defensive player. Back in college, they'd use me as an offensive tackle every now and then, which I didn't hate, but there's nothing like running toward your opponent like you're ready to snap their neck.

A few more downs and we're off the field, securing a win and a nice break for a bye week coming up that my body desperately needs. I've been slacking on my recovery this season, but trying to find extra time has been hard when my only option is really just asking Summer to stay later.

I head into the locker room to get showered and changed, and Coach Aarons gives us his post-game speech, handing me the game ball. I don't get nostalgic often, but there are still small things that happen at this level that bring me back to being younger. Getting a game ball is one of them.

The game became my obsession when I really started treating it like a job back in high school. My dad would run drills with me every chance he had, my parents bought me all the shit I needed in order to practice at home when I wasn't practicing at school. Simply put, it became the love of my life. I'd have some of the most ridiculous superstitions before games, some I still do now. Always using a certain coffee mug on game days, not wearing any eye black under my eyes, same socks every game. When I was in college, I remember having a giant bowl of ramen noodles the night before every game. I'd combine three packages and just inhale it.

My dad would tell me how bad they were for me all the time. Fuck, he'd tell me how bad most of the food I ate was. Meat and vegetables were in every single meal he ate, and eventually, I started listening to him and eating better. I dropped weight in college, gained muscle and ultimately worked my ass off to make sure I got drafted. It was as much his dream as it was mine, but I always knew if I wanted to step away he wouldn't question it.

I often think of what he'd say about my situation now. A single dad wasn't exactly what he would've expected, but I like to think he'd be proud of me for the way things have turned out.

He's everything I strive to be as a father. He was patient, kind, loving, and supportive. But also strong and hardworking. There wasn't a thing my dad couldn't fix. From scraped knees all the way to rebuilding decks and making a home where nothing but dirt once sat.

You don't think about all of the things that go into being a parent until you become one. And we often don't truly appreciate the sacrifices of our own until we're in their shoes. I'm humbled as a parent. As a man. When I was a kid, I'd look at my dad and see Superman. How the hell could he do it all and still sleep? Still eat? Still have time for himself? I realize now that he simply chose to make me and my sister the priority.

Thinking about it now, I know he was tired. He'd pull into the driveway close to six at night, after working since seven in the morning and he'd still get me to my football games on time. He'd stay up late fixing a screen I broke when I was being a damn idiot with my friends. There's just so much we don't truly see as kids. It wasn't until I had CeCe that I understood what unconditional love was.

He wasn't even someone who dropped that word often now that I think of it. But he said it every day.

"Here's twenty, put gas in your tank."

"Let me know when you get to that party."

"Your tire looks low, son. Fill'er up."

"Are you feeling okay?"

He said it the only way he knew how.